Bridgnorth councillors welcome free parking but suggest longer period could be considered
A cohort of councillors that called for free parking across Shropshire has welcomed the confirmation of a two-week relaxation, but said a longer period should still be considered.
The group from Bridgnorth and the surrounding parishes urged Shropshire Council to make its car parks free in the town for a month, and extended the call to all market towns across the county.
They suggested the initiative be undertaken to give business owners a much-needed boost when non-essential retail opens and the hospitality sector can work outdoors from April 12.
At a meeting earlier this week, Councillor Steve Davenport, cabinet member for highways and transport, confirmed Shropshire Council-owned car parks would remain free for two weeks.
The group previously said it was "essential" towns have free parking to aid the recovery of the economy after lockdown.
It consists of Bridgnorth's four representatives on Shropshire Council, Elliott Lynch, Les Winwood, Christian Lea and William Parr, as well as the town's mayor Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight.
Also in support are Much Wenlock's Shropshire Councillor David Turner, Councillor Robert Tindall, who represents Brown Clee, Councillor Michael Wood, who represents Worfield and Councillor Tina Woodward, who represents Alveley & Claverley.
In a joint statement, they said: "While ideally we would have liked a longer period of time for free car parking on Shropshire Council-owned car parks in Bridgnorth, the two week period that has been agreed will nevertheless be most welcomed by local traders and will go some way in giving Bridgnorth and all Shropshire market towns a vital lift when the shops reopen on April 12.
"We thank the cabinet member for responding to our request."
They added that a longer period should still be considered if additional funding for the scheme be found.
The free parking offer doesn’t include Prees Heath HGV Coach and Car Park; Crossways HGV, Coach and Car Park in Church Stretton; and the car parks at The Bog, at The Moors and Castlefields near The Mere in Ellesmere, and the Severn Valley Country Park car parks at Alveley and Highley.
Shropshire Council made its car parks free at 11am for six weeks from December last year to give shops, pubs and cafes a welcome festive boost.
